For the first time ever, you can race around the beautiful Pine Mountain Observatory just east of Bend. Make sure you're ready to climb though, as the eleven and half mile course includes 2,500' of vertical gain (eight miles of climbing and three and half miles of descent). The race starts at the intersection of FS 2017 and FS 100 and immediately has you running uphill for about four miles. You'll get a brief break with a two mile descent and then you're off climbing again on some technical, rocky singletrack trails. The finish is at the top of Pine Mountain and your reward is breathtaking views of Central Oregon.

Three aid stations with water and nuun electrolytes are located at miles four, seven and nine to help you make it to the summit. Tasty treats will also be provided at the finish from Nancy P's Baking Company. You can make a whole weekend out of the race as the observatory is offering free camping Saturday night at the campground next to the structure. Plan on cooking out and watching some movies underneath the stars.

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If you want a trial race before the Portland Marathon, this is a great one to take advantage of due to the similarities in routes. The half marathon course winds through and out of the scenic Champoeg Park on nearly flat park roads, paths and quiet, country roads with just one solid hill to conquer – much like the hill just before the St. John's Bridge in the PDX marathon course. Aid stations will be placed at four different locations on course in addition to one at the finish. The half marathon course is also open to walkers who will have an early start. The five-mile option offers a quiet and beautiful course located solely within Champoeg Park.

All runners and walkers will receive a microbial moisture management shirt that wicks moisture away and keeps you cool while you run. Finishers will also receive a commemorative medal as they cross the finish line. Post-race refreshments will be provided during the awards ceremony where plenty of prizes will be handed out. Online registration is open until Wednesday, September 17 but you can also register on site day of.

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The Oregon Road Runners Club invites you to be a part of this 10k road race and walk that takes place along a stretch of the wild and scenic Clackamas River in the Cascade Mountain foothills. Even though it's only twenty-five miles from Portland, you'll feel like you've escaped into the heart of nature. The course features views of pristine waters, shading forests, and if you're lucky, bald eagles, osprey and colorful waterfowl.

Start your run or walk east of Estacada at North Fork Lake. From there, you will meander along the winding Clackamas River on all paved paths. The finish is at Estacada's historic City Hall where a post-race party will be ready to greet you. In addition to the usual awards per division, there will also be special prizes and giveaways handed out. Make sure you register early as this event is capped at five hundred entrants. You can register at Pace Setter Athletic in Portland up until September 17 and receive one pair of free socks. Or, you can register online until September 25.

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Make a difference to aspiring athletes in Ethiopia by donating your old shoes to the Ethiopia Project! The Ethiopia Project is a non-profit that collects new and gently used running shoes in North America and then sends them to those in need Ethiopia. Fit Right NW is making it easy to donate as they are hosting a shoe drive from 10 am to 6 pm this Saturday at both of their locations in Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA. As a reward for your generosity, Fit Right NW is offering a coupon good for $5 off a shoes or apparel purchase for each pair of shoes donated (up to three pair). In addition to shoes, they will also be collecting workout apparel.

Last spring's shoe drive collected over eight hundred pairs of shoes. This year's goal is to collect over one thousand pairs, so please help Fit Right and the Ethiopia Project help the less fortunate!

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